Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1887-01-29
MIKE.

lives by her prompt action, but this
was the way of it: TWAS hot sum-
mer afternoon, and the most absolute
quiet reigned over the little railroad
station Of Parkertown, up in North
ern New England, on these swelter-
ing July days. Not even the custom
airy loafers were around, and only at
train time was there any show of
life.
The down train WAS due at $50,
but until then, as the sensational
writers say, "all was quiet as the
grave"
Mike was the station agents daugh-
ter and only child. She was Is,
although so small she looked three
years younger, and was usually quiet
as a mouse-''not much zip to her."
as the country folks said. In spite
of the current opinion, however, esh
had, except the small portion of time
which the little country town set
apart for the school season, spent near
ly all of her time in the ticket Office
with her father, picking up, letter by
letter and word by word, the sounds
of the Morse instrument; and finally,
one day she astonished her father by
taking telegram by sound, giving
him a neat "copy."
From that day Mike was installed
telegraph operator, and the indulgent
father often said mick could run
that Office jest as good as he could
himself" which, considering that
Mr.. Markham was considered by the
boys "a plug OPERATOR" might be
called a doubtful compliment to
Mike.
Well, this particular afternoon we
are talking about, theaforesaid "plue"
sauntered into the depot with trouble
enthroned upon his majestic brow.
"Nick, am summoned on a jury
case up to the Center Village this
afternoon. It's too late to get any
body here, even s'posing there was
anybody to get. What are we going
to do about it? Spose you can tend
the concern alone until get back
probably by 81"
81 guess SO, father" replied Mike.
"There won't be much of anything
to do. Likely there won't be many
passengers for the down train this hot
day, and 1 hope / know enough to
sell ticket or two if there are"
"Well, see that the boxes go by ex-
press. The waybills are ready and
inthe drawer. Guess you'll get along
alright" and off he went, leaving
Mike mistress ofthe situation, which
phase meant more than you might
imagine on that very particular day
AT first she felt her newly acquired
importance somewhat and stepped
briskly around, busting the musty
little office and watering the few
plants in the window, but there be
ing absolutely nothing to do and nc
one coming near, she dropped into
inactivity and listened to the click O
the telegraph instrument, which t.
her was as companionable as the talk
of near friends would be. AS thu
afternoon passed drowsily along, thu
heat and stiffness overcame her
she was soon-as one of the good la
dies of Parkertown was wont to ex
press it-"in the arms of Morphine
Afterwards the first thing she coulc
remember about it, a voice seeming
to come from her dreams said
"Taint likely she is left here alon,
and asleep too"
"NO," respondedanother evil voice
"the old man is prob'ly round some
where-but," in lower. tone, "com,
on, lets go long. The down train'l
be along and We'll just lay 'em out,
Mike was wide awake enough
now, but she had presence of minC
enough in her small body, and real
lied that safely lay in keeping still.
"How fur is it up there?"
"Sh! Keep mum. Do you wan
to knock the hull thing in the head
and yourself too?" And then tn
girls quickened hearing caught tn
sound of heavy footsteps passing b.
the windows and on up the track.
Mike waited until she couldn'
hear the footsteps, and then cautious
ly turned and looked out of the win
dow. There they were--two misera
ble-looking tramps fastening up tn
track. She recognized them at ono
ut two men who had been discharge,
from a construction train that ha,
been at work down the road. Wha
should she do? Oh, if she could sen,